The need for information systems has increased to a point where virtually all business environments require some sort of software to aid in its daily operations. This study will address the need for quality information systems by examining techniques which can potentially aid in producing consistent high-quality information systems. Two techniques in particular, namely Process Maturity Models (PMMs) and Systems Development Methodologies (SDMs) are examined. Process Maturity Models such as the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) as well as the ISO-9000 standards aid in standardising and improving an organisation’s information systems development processes. These Process Maturity Models often require either the use of certain Systems Development Methodologies or at the very least techniques used within some Systems Development Methodologies. Systems Development Methodologies refer to a set of development processes, tools, techniques etc. which can be used during software development to standardise the entire development process by offering the use of modelling techniques, tools to analyse requirements, illustration of processes etc. These techniques differ from one Systems Development Methodology to the next. This study aims to identify the relationship between Process Maturity Models and Systems Development Methodologies. During the research process a questionnaire was sent out to people within the information technology business environment. The questionnaire contained questions used to determine and measure the usage of Systems Development Methodologies and how projects were affected. The questionnaire was also used to do an informal assessment of each respondent’s Capability Maturity Model level. Furthermore the data retrieved was statistically analysed and the results were interpreted. The results indicate that a relationship exists between the use of SDMs and the success of the respondent’s development processes and developed products. A total of 73% of respondents indicated that they do use SDMs to some extent, the most common being the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC). The majority of organizations implementing SDMs have been doing so for three years or more. Results also show that most of the respondents are not certified in some formal Process Maturity Model; however, they do implement some of the processes required by models such as the CMMI. An informal assessment performed indicated that 65% of respondents can be grouped into a perceived CMMI level 2 category. Project outcome was measured and the relationship between PMM implementation as well as SDM use was measured. Results show no statistical evidence which indicates that an organisation’s perceived CMMI level is influenced by SDM use, both vertically and horizontally. Results do, however, indicate that organizations which have been implementing SDMs for a longer period of time are more likely to apply CMMI level 4 activities. Results also indicate that the horizontal use (number of projects/people which implement SDM knowledge) of SDMs have a significant effect on the development process- and the developed product success. Lastly the results indicated that organizations which satisfy more of the CMMI’s level 4 activities experience a higher quality development process which leads to a more successful development process. / Thesis (MSc (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Este trabalho descreve a definição e institucionalização de um processo de engenharia de requisitos que está em conformidade com as áreas de processo do CMMI (Capability Maturity Model) de Gerência de Requisitos e Desenvolvimento de Requisitos e cujos componentes (atividades, papéis, produtos de trabalho) são baseados em RUP (Rational Unified Process). A principal contribuição deste estudo é a definição de um processo de engenharia de requisitos baseado em abordagens de desenvolvimento diferenciadas, que foi implantado em uma organização específica, com foco em praticidade, eficiência e retorno do investimento. A implantação do processo em projetos reais permitiu sua experimentação, avaliação e refinamento, validando as alternativas de integração utilizadas para empregar as abordagens de desenvolvimento escolhidas. Complementando o processo proposto, como decorrência do foco em eficiência, são consideradas possibilidades de emprego de práticas de métodos ágeis na execução do processo, com o intuito de aumentar a produtividade do mesmo, sustentando sua garantia de qualidade. O processo proposto é descrito, do método de concepção aos passos envolvidos e artefatos gerados em cada atividade. Também são comentadas as etapas e áreas de trabalho envolvidas na institucionalização do trabalho. / This research depicts the definition and institutionalization of a requirements engineering process which is in conformance to CMMI (Capability Maturity Model) Requirements Management and Requirements Development process areas. The proposed process components (activities, roles, work products) are based on Rational Unified Process (RUP) process framework. The proposed process main contribution is the definition of a requirements engineering process, leveraging such diverse development approaches, which was implemented in a specific organization, focusing on practicality, efficiency and return on investment. Implementing such process in real projects has promoted its experimentation, evaluation and refinement, validating the integration alternatives used to bring together the chosen development approaches. The possibility of employing agile methods practices through the process execution is discussed, aiming at increasing the process productivity, while assuring product quality. The proposed process details are described, from method conception to each activity steps and generated artifacts. The process institutionalization phases and work areas are also commented.

Este trabalho descreve a definição e institucionalização de um processo de engenharia de requisitos que está em conformidade com as áreas de processo do CMMI (Capability Maturity Model) de Gerência de Requisitos e Desenvolvimento de Requisitos e cujos componentes (atividades, papéis, produtos de trabalho) são baseados em RUP (Rational Unified Process). A principal contribuição deste estudo é a definição de um processo de engenharia de requisitos baseado em abordagens de desenvolvimento diferenciadas, que foi implantado em uma organização específica, com foco em praticidade, eficiência e retorno do investimento. A implantação do processo em projetos reais permitiu sua experimentação, avaliação e refinamento, validando as alternativas de integração utilizadas para empregar as abordagens de desenvolvimento escolhidas. Complementando o processo proposto, como decorrência do foco em eficiência, são consideradas possibilidades de emprego de práticas de métodos ágeis na execução do processo, com o intuito de aumentar a produtividade do mesmo, sustentando sua garantia de qualidade. O processo proposto é descrito, do método de concepção aos passos envolvidos e artefatos gerados em cada atividade. Também são comentadas as etapas e áreas de trabalho envolvidas na institucionalização do trabalho. / This research depicts the definition and institutionalization of a requirements engineering process which is in conformance to CMMI (Capability Maturity Model) Requirements Management and Requirements Development process areas. The proposed process components (activities, roles, work products) are based on Rational Unified Process (RUP) process framework. The proposed process main contribution is the definition of a requirements engineering process, leveraging such diverse development approaches, which was implemented in a specific organization, focusing on practicality, efficiency and return on investment. Implementing such process in real projects has promoted its experimentation, evaluation and refinement, validating the integration alternatives used to bring together the chosen development approaches. The possibility of employing agile methods practices through the process execution is discussed, aiming at increasing the process productivity, while assuring product quality. The proposed process details are described, from method conception to each activity steps and generated artifacts. The process institutionalization phases and work areas are also commented.

Este trabalho descreve a definição e institucionalização de um processo de engenharia de requisitos que está em conformidade com as áreas de processo do CMMI (Capability Maturity Model) de Gerência de Requisitos e Desenvolvimento de Requisitos e cujos componentes (atividades, papéis, produtos de trabalho) são baseados em RUP (Rational Unified Process). A principal contribuição deste estudo é a definição de um processo de engenharia de requisitos baseado em abordagens de desenvolvimento diferenciadas, que foi implantado em uma organização específica, com foco em praticidade, eficiência e retorno do investimento. A implantação do processo em projetos reais permitiu sua experimentação, avaliação e refinamento, validando as alternativas de integração utilizadas para empregar as abordagens de desenvolvimento escolhidas. Complementando o processo proposto, como decorrência do foco em eficiência, são consideradas possibilidades de emprego de práticas de métodos ágeis na execução do processo, com o intuito de aumentar a produtividade do mesmo, sustentando sua garantia de qualidade. O processo proposto é descrito, do método de concepção aos passos envolvidos e artefatos gerados em cada atividade. Também são comentadas as etapas e áreas de trabalho envolvidas na institucionalização do trabalho. / This research depicts the definition and institutionalization of a requirements engineering process which is in conformance to CMMI (Capability Maturity Model) Requirements Management and Requirements Development process areas. The proposed process components (activities, roles, work products) are based on Rational Unified Process (RUP) process framework. The proposed process main contribution is the definition of a requirements engineering process, leveraging such diverse development approaches, which was implemented in a specific organization, focusing on practicality, efficiency and return on investment. Implementing such process in real projects has promoted its experimentation, evaluation and refinement, validating the integration alternatives used to bring together the chosen development approaches. The possibility of employing agile methods practices through the process execution is discussed, aiming at increasing the process productivity, while assuring product quality. The proposed process details are described, from method conception to each activity steps and generated artifacts. The process institutionalization phases and work areas are also commented.

The goal of this thesis is to create a proposal of framework which can be used to support software quality management in a small development company. Framework is composed of processes, methodologies and tools which together should improve the quality of software products of a company. Concrete implementation of the framework is shown as a case study. Data for the case study were collected in the company Cleverbee, where the author worked during the case study's creation. Personal contribution of the author of the thesis is firstly the creation of the framework concept based on author's experiences and commented list of concrete results of framework's implementation. The detailed goal setting for this thesis and the definition of the target reader can be found in the chapter 1. Introduction. The definition of main terms, which will appear in the rest of the thesis, is contained in the chapter 2. Terms. Chapter 3. Software quality and its definition is explains the term "software quality" and the nature of the small companies. Chapter 4. Software quality management forms the theoretical foundation of the thesis. In this chapter you find how the methodologies RUP and CMMI view the software quality. Chapter 5. Framework concept contains the concept of the software quality management framework. Framework is based upon relevant sources and also author's personal experience. The chapter 6. Case study describes the concrete example of the implementation of the proposed framework. The case study also contains descriptions of the used software tools. The chapter 7. Conclusion contains the brief resume of the findings of the thesis.

This thesis explores challenging topic of information system quality assessment and mainly process assessment. In this work the term Information System Quality is defined as well as different approaches in a quality definition for different domains of information systems are outlined. Main methods of process assessment are overviewed and their relationships are described. Process assessment methods are divided into two categories: ISO standards and best practices. The main objective of this work is application of gained theoretical knowledge in process assessment with CobiT 4.1 and CobiT 5.0 frameworks, and comparing results. The objective was achieved through consultation with processes owner and the completed questionnaires filled in by management of OnLine S.r.l. Additionally targeted level of capability in CobiT 5.0 is compared with actual, achieved level.

The theme of the thesis is the area of process management. In the theoretical part of the thesis the basic terms are explained, so as the other areas, which relate to area of processes and proces management. This section also describes the essential terms used in the methodology of the real potential for improvement. The whole theoretical part concludes description of selected ISO standards, which the analyzed company disposes. The practical part of the thesis is aimed to describtion and application of the methodology to achieve the potential improvement in the environment of manufacturing company. This methodology is also accompanied by several activities that contribute to the complexity of the methodology. The following describes the operation of manufacturing companies in order to analyze the maturity of individual processes and also describe the selected processes,which were based on analysis of the processes identified as the highest priority for this company. After completing the necessary steps of analysis, individual potentials, that can contribute to increase the efficiency of the process areas in the analyzed company, have been identified. What could affect the achievement of the real potential is expressed by means of hard and soft effects. The last part of the thesis consist of specific procedures, which serves to remove the internal limits of the company, respectively to achieve the identified potential.

The thesis deals with the evaluation of IT processes maturity. In the theoretical part, management of information technologies and methods of assessment in the organization are described. Four methods are selected and used for the maturity assessment of the Release Management process in Česká pojišťovna a.s. In the practical section, a questionnaire is evaluated and the Release Management process maturity level is set. The main objective of this thesis is to evaluate maturity of Release Management process and suggest possible improvements. The objective was achieved through the completed questionnaires of Česká pojišťovna a.s. employees and subsequent consultations with the process owner. The thesis consists of six parts. The first chapter deals with the management of information technology in an organization. The second chapter is devoted to the evaluation of process maturity and description of the selected methods of maturity evaluation. The third chapter maps processes according to ITIL, Cobit 4.1 Cobit 5 and provide their introduction. The fourth chapter introduce the organization of Česká pojišťovna a.s.. The fifth chapter describes the specific process Migrating applications in the Česká pojišťovna a.s.. The sixth chapter focuses on the actual comparison of individual methods of evaluating and interpretation of the results.

The problem discussed in this thesis is the optimization of the process of planning, tracking and evaluating tasks in the management area of the department Corporate Technology in Siemens, Brno. Having studied theories of CMMI and principles of ISO 9001, the given process is optimized by automating certain manual tasks. As Corporate Technology uses a SharePoint server to manage tasks, the application is developed to improve his functionality. This application has therefore been tested in the environment of the organization with real-life data and complies to all necessary requirements to be able to save at least 50 % of time in the optimized process. The results of this thesis prove the usability of automating manual repetitive tasks being conducted in the processes of the organization and introduce possibility of increasing process level by preventing human errors.

The paper examines the characteristics of quality management, business process management and process maturity models. Presents a prototype of web-based tool to support the implementation of CMMI for Services, its concept, implementation and application in the selected company. It analyzes the main activities of the company and suggests improvements in accordance with the CMMI model.